Here is the original context in scripture of the phrase in questiongcdonner wrote: ↑Thu Nov 30, 2023 3:48 pmYou are absolutely incorrect. It is not used this way in the NT or for that matter in the OT. The term is most often referring to the contemporaneous group of people living at that time and in scripture is often considered to be a 40 year period. Again I won't hijack this thread to answer your assertions.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Here is a word study that I have done using this phrase both in the OT as well as the NT.
The context determines the appropriate usage of the word, "genea".“This generation shall not pass…”
G1074
γενεά
genea
Thayer Definition:
1) fathered, birth, nativity
2) that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family
2a) the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy
2b) metaphorically a group of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character
2b1) especially in a bad sense, a perverse nation
3) the whole multitude of men living at the same time
4) an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), [a space of 40 years]
New Testament use of “this generation”
Matt. 24:34 …This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mk. 13.30 1Pet 4:7
Lk. 21:32
Matt. 23:29-36-38
Lk. 11:47-50,51-52
Matt. 3:7; 11:16; 12:34-35; 16:1-4; 17:14-17
Mk. 8:12,38; 9:19
Lk. 3:7; 7:31; 9:41; 11:29-32; 17:25
Phil. 2:15 (nation=genea=generation) cf. Deut. 32:5,20
Acts 2:40
Old Testament use of “this generation”
Gen 7:1; 15:16; 50:23; Ex 1:6;
Deut. 1:21-35-37; 2:14-15; 32:5 this evil, crooked, perverse generation
Num. 32:13 all the generation
Jud 2;10 that generation…another generation
Jer. 7:29-34 … generation of his wrath
Ps. 95:10-11 cf. Heb. 3:9,10,11 this generation that generation
Eccl. 1:4 one generation…another generation Dan 4:3 …His dominion from generation to generation
“…when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages [literally- generations: GK genea] was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…” (Eph. 3:4,5)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages [genea=generations] world without end. Amen (Eph. 3:20,21)
The mystery of Christ was revealed in the generation marked off by His coming in personal ministry and that generation was completed by the fulfillment of His prophecy of the removal of all Old Covenant types and shadows in the destruction of Jerusalem, its governmental system, its national identity, and its temple and priesthood. There never was and never will be the dissolution of another covenant of God, nor the manifestation of another covenant of God. The First was fulfilled and superseded by the Second. As the First waxed old and vanished away (Heb.8:13), the Second came to full light and was manifested as the Everlasting Covenant which will never pass away!
Here is what John Gill had to say about it:
John Lightfoot said this:Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass,.... Not the generation of men in general; as if the sense was, that mankind should not cease, until the accomplishment of these things; nor the generation, or people of the Jews, who should continue to be a people, until all were fulfilled; nor the generation of Christians; as if the meaning was, that there should be always a set of Christians, or believers in Christ in the world, until all these events came to pass; but it respects that present age, or generation of men then living in it; and the sense is, that all the men of that age should not die, but some should live
Albert Barnes reported:[This generation shall not pass, etc.] hence it appears plain enough, that the foregoing verses are not to be understood of the last judgment, but, as we said, of the destruction of Jerusalem. There were some among the disciples (particularly John), who lived to see these things come to pass. With Mat_16:28; compare Joh_21:22. And there were some Rabbins alive at the time when Christ spoke these things, that lived till the city was destroyed, viz. Rabban Simeon, who perished with the city, R. Jochanan Ben Zaccai, who outlived it, R. Zadoch, R. Ismael, and others.
Matthew 1:17 also demonstrates the proper use of the term:This generation ... - This age; this race of people. A generation is about 30 or 40 years. The destruction of Jerusalem took place about forty years after this was spoken.
When taken to refer to a period of about 40 years (based on "this generation" of Deut 1:35; 2:14; 32:5-7), it answers the age old question of when Daniel's 70 weeks was fulfilled. It was fulfilled in Christ, according to scripture with no "parenthesis" being inserted.Mat 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
Jesus was referring to the "generation" of men contemporary with him, whom he condemned:
It is without coincidence that within 40 years, a biblical "generation", the city of Jerusalem was destroyed and all the other portents that Jesus declared were fulfilled, including his return in power "on the clouds".Luk 11:50 That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
I suggest a study of that phrase as well. See the next post.